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Current News New Marist Community in St George, Queensland Celebrations in Aotearoa-New Zealand Liveble Spirit Workshops in New Zealand Jubilee Celebrations in Sydney General councillor Visits Fiji In a Hidden Manner by Sr Karin Christieson sm Novices in Australia for Community Experience Renewal of Vows in the Philippines
On Saturday 19th November, Srs. Celina Gavia and Catherine Sariman, both from PNG, made their First Profession as Marist Sisters. Having completed their novitiate formation, they pronounced their vows of chastity, poverty and obedience in the Novitiate Chapel in Mintal, Davao City, The Philippines. Fr. Larry Sabud SM presided at the Eucharistic celebration.
Sr Veronica Lum, representing the Superior General of the Congregation, received their vows. Many members of the wider Marist Family (Fathers, Brothers, Missionary Sisters and Laity) were present, as well as all the Marist Sisters in the Sector of the Philippines.
They were also very happy with the presence of some of their neighbours and some people with whom Cathy and Celina had been involved in their weekly ministry outreach. After Mass all stayed to share in a lovely meal.
New Marist Community in St George, Queensland
At the end of Mass Derk Abberfield, chair of the Parish Council, said a few words of welcome and presented the Sisters with a lovely painting of the Balonne River. Following the celebration of the Eucharist the community enjoyed a lovely brunch consisting of steak sandwiches, sausages and an array of cakes and biscuits.
At a recent gathering of the sisters in Aotearoa-New Zealand the sisters celebrated the Daimond Jubilee of Sr Karin Christieson and the Golden Jubilee of Sr Gemma Wilson. Fr Graeme Connolly sm was principal celebrant at the Mass during which Karin and Gemma renewed their vows. During the meal that followed thegathered sisters shared their memories of the jubilarians.
In the weeks prior to their departure they were able to be present at a day of celebration in Wama with the Opening and Blessing of the new Toilet/Shower Block. Preparation for this special event had been taking place for many weeks and there was great excitement when the day arrived. The amenities block was generously funded by Cerdon College, Sydney, with an additional amount given to complete the project through a donation made by the Sector of New Zealand. It is a colourful building surrounded by beautiful gardens and with traditional paintings on the outside walls. It was decorated with leaves and flowers, and was blessed by the Vicar General of the Diocese. Speeches, dances and a feast ensured an all-day celebration to be remembered!
Liveable Spirit Workshops in New Zealand
Another group of Marist College staff recently participated in a Liveable Spirit workshop in the sisters’ lounge at Mt Albert. Of mixed cultural and religious traditions, they entered enthusiastically and fully into the programme presenting creative ways the lives of the founders. This brings to 76 staff – teaching and support, participants in these workshops since 2005. Interest is high for a second programme that will take some of the Marist themes and weave them into the story of the Marist Sisters since 1858 particularly their coming to Oceania and the history of Marist College.
Jubilee Celebrations in Sydney
Following Mass the jubilarians were toasted during an afternoon tea. As Marists these sisters are all convinced that they are are " called by a gracious choice to follow Christ by living the Gospel as Mary did". (Constitutions of the Marist Sisters) We pray that other women in our world today will also be attentive to God's call in their lives and follow in the footsteps of these sisters.
General councillor Visits Fiji
Before leaving Papua New Guinea on 25th March, Kate was very happy to be able to hand over the co-ordination of the FODE (Flexible and Open Distance Education) work to Mr. Patrick Sariman, father of Florence. There is hope that the FODE Office in Port Moresby will soon recognize Wama as an official correspondence centre and will be able to put some funds into supporting the continuing education of young people in this rural area. In a Hidden Manner by Sr Karin Christieson sm
Completing a trilogy of works on the history of the Marist Sisters in Oceania, this book was launched recently by Fr Neil Vaney sm at the Marist Primary School Hall in Mt Albert on Sunday 13th February. An enthusiastic gathering of Marist Sisters, parishioners, representatives of other Novices in Australia for Community Experience
Renewal of Vows in the Philippines Srs Lilibeth and April, both from the Philippines, made their first profession as Marist Sisters two years ago. During the last two years they have engaged in further theological study and participated in the mission of the Marist Sisters in the Phillipines. Recently they reaffirmed their desire to be Marist Sisters when they renewed their vows of Chastity, Poverty and Obedience in the Congregation of Mary. Their vows were accepted by Sr Veronic Lum on behalf of the Congregational Leader of the Marist Sisters.
On sale during the conference were items that have been made by women who have been trafficked or in some cases who have avoided being trafficked because they had meaningful employment.
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In late July Srs Beverley Lewis and Kate McPhee arrived in St George to begin pastoral work there. On Sunday, 14th August, they were officially welcomed to St. George. Mass was celebrated at 9.30a.m. followed by brunch. Kate and Bev presented the gifts at the Offertory time. Before the final blessing Fr. Michael invited the Sisters to come forward and to make a commitment to the Parish after which the people of the Parish promised to support them in their mission in St. George. 
Srs Lavinia and Kathleen recently left Papua New Guinea bringing an end to the Marist Sisters' ministry in the parish of Wama in the Bereina Diocese. The sisters were filled with gratitude for the many varied experiences they had and for the friendships they formed over the last two and a half years and so there was sadness in their hearts as they said their goodbyes.
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On Pentecost Sunday Marist sisters in Sydney gathered to celebrate with their Jubilarians whose lives represent 290 years of Marist commitment. Sisters Joan Sheppard, Joan McBride, Mary Picone and Rose Shields each celebrated their Diamond Jubilee while Sisters Judith Lythall and Vilomena Ruru celebrated their Silver Jubilee of profession. Fr Tom Fulcher sm was the main celebrant at the Jubilee Mass. .jpg)
The Sisters in the Fiji Sector warmly welcomed Miriam McManus (General Councillor) with the Fijian traditional welcome when she arrived in Nadi in March. She was accorded this traditional welcome in more places than one and she was very touched. The Sisters enjoyed meeting Miriam. Her visits to the communities were rather short but we hope that one day she will return for a longer stay. While in Nadi Miriam visited some places where we have formerly ministered, including the Children’s Hostel in Lautoka. She also took photos of Vatukoula Convent School when she was en-route to Nadelei.
religious congregations, ex-students, family and friends met in the place which was the first school of the Marist Sisters in New Zealand in 1927. Sr Karin Christieson, the author, spoke of her research process over some fifteen years. Fr Neil Vaney sm, recalled his personal experience of being educated by the Marist Sisters in Karori, Wellington and the distinctive contribution the sisters made to his education and personal development. 
It was with great joy that the Marian House community of Marist Sisters in Australia recently welcomed two novices. Srs Celina Gavia and Cathy Sariman are originally from Papua New Guinea. During the past twelve months they have been in the Marist Sisters Novitiate in the Philippines. The novitiate journey is a two year period during which the novice learns about the Marist Charism and Mission as part of their discernment prior to First Profession as a Marist Sister. During their time in Australia Celina and Cathy will learn more about the Marist Charism by living in a community with sisters who have lived this way of life for many years.
Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH) recently held their Annual Conference and AGM in Melbourne. At this conference the Marist Sisters were represented by Sr Noelene Simmons. During the Conference participants reflected on the issues of human trafficking and how this can be combated in our world today. 
| © Marist Sisters 2011 |
Last Updated:
27 November, 2011
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